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NYC's Mayor Bloomberg attends St Vartan Cathedral doors dedication

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  • NYC's Mayor Bloomberg attends St Vartan Cathedral doors dedication

    This is a multipart message in MIME format.
    PRESS OFFICE
    Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
    Contact: Karine Abalyan
    Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Website: www.armenianchurch.nets

    June 2, 2009
    ___________________

    New York's St. Vartan Cathedral Celebrates THE Consecration of New Bronze
    Entry Doors


    Speaking at the consecration of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral's new bronze
    entry doors last Sunday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg described the
    grand portal as "a remarkable piece of work" that reflects the "passion and
    craftsmanship" of the Armenian-American community.

    "Today is the beginning of yet another wonderful chapter in St. Vartan's
    history," the mayor said, addressing the more than 800 people gathered in
    the sanctuary on May 31.

    "This is a religious site of great importance to you and to Armenians across
    the entire country - a magnificent house of prayer that New York is proud to
    be home to."

    The day marked the first time the mayor had visited the cathedral during his
    two terms in office.

    Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church
    of America (Eastern), celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday and
    consecrated the new doors on the cathedral plaza.

    He welcomed Mayor Bloomberg "as a good friend and as a member of our
    family."

    The Primate said that the cathedral had a long history of hosting city
    leaders, from Mayor John Lindsay, who visited the cathedral after its
    consecration in 1968, to Mayors Edward Koch and David Dinkins, and more
    recently, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

    "The doors have been years in the making and you can sense the passion and
    the craftsmanship that went into them as soon as you see them," Mayor
    Bloomberg said.

    Remarking that the cathedral was built by survivors of the Armenian
    Genocide, Mayor Bloomberg added that "it serves as a powerful reminder to
    all peoples of the ability to create and beautify from the ashes of grief."


    * Many Stories in One Image


    Following services, Archbishop Barsamian and Mayor Bloomberg led a
    procession to the cathedral plaza where the new doors were unveiled by the
    mayor and Primate.

    The consecration ceremony began after Mayor Bloomberg's departure,
    culminating in Archbishop Khajag Barsamian tracing crosses on the doors in
    holy chrism.

    The afternoon was a time to celebrate the beauty of St. Vartan Cathedral and
    the preservation of the ancient Armenian spirit in the United States.

    Gathering under a nearly cloudless sky, visitors watched as the Shushi
    Armenian Dance Ensemble of St. Vartan Cathedral, donning traditional
    Armenian costumes, moved across the cathedral plaza, hands and feet weaving
    the story of a nation's journey. The ensemble is directed by Seta
    Paskalian-Kantardjian.

    The day continued with a multimedia photo exhibition in Guild Hall, which
    chronicled the fabrication of the cathedral doors.

    More than 30 years in the planning, the doors were first conceived by
    members of the St. Vartan Cathedral Guild who dreamed of erecting a grand
    entranceway to what was at the time a still-new "mother cathedral."

    Led by guild chair Mrs. Alice Kavookjian, the group set about raising money
    for the project, organizing dinners, bake sales, and other activities. A
    sizeable amount was collected in those years, but work on the project was
    put on hold as the Diocese turned its attention to other matters.

    Some seven years ago, under the leadership of the Rev. Fr. Mardiros Chevian,
    dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, a committee was formed to resume the doors
    undertaking. The Rev. Fr. Garabed Kochakian, Yn. Yefkin Megherian, and
    Michael Haratunian served on the committee, helping design the doors and
    oversee their production.

    This year, the Dadourian family gave a sizeable contribution that allowed
    the project to go forward.

    The doors were fabricated by Setrak Agonian and a team of sculptors and
    artists at International Creative Medal Inc.

    The doors depict in three-dimensional sculpted relief the conversion of
    Armenia to Christianity. The two panels focus on the baptism of King Drtad
    by St. Gregory the Illuminator in A.D. 301. The sculpted artwork also shows
    Queen Ashkhen, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and Mount Ararat.

    The transom above the portal bears the image of Christ with an inscription
    that honors the date of the cathedral's consecration - April 28, 1968 - by
    His Holiness Vasken I.

    Fr. Kochakian said the work represented "a collection of many stories into
    one image."

    "It brings together and synthesizes the conversion of a nation and the
    witness of our people, over 1,700 years of remaining faithful to the call of
    Christ and pledging ourselves to do so in the future," he said.

    In his sermon on Sunday, Archbishop Barsamian said that the doors speak to
    the ancient Armenian Christian tradition and to the way in which the
    Armenian people embraced Christ's message.

    "Let these new doors, and the image upon them, always remind us of this
    truth: That whenever we approach the great doorways - the great turning
    points - of our lives, we do so armed only with our faith," the Primate
    said.


    * "Each Generation Has Something to Contribute"

    During the program on Sunday, the Diocese recognized three surviving St.
    Vartan Guild members - Bertha Khavlijian Moriarty, Araxe Cherishian, and Yn.
    Mariam Ashjian - and Linda Kirishjian, who attended the event on behalf of
    her late mother, Araksi Kirishjian.

    "Alice Kavookjian's dream was to have the great portals," said Mrs.
    Moriarty, recalling how guild members, including her mother, fundraised
    through the years. She said they would have been proud with the finished
    project.

    "The great portals proclaim our Christianity and our history in such a
    magnificent way," she added.

    The Diocese also expressed its appreciation to the Dadourian family.

    Alex Dadourian spoke about his father, Dadour Dadourian, one of the original
    visionaries who conceived St. Vartan Cathedral. Alex Dadourian recalled that
    his father "had two loves in his life: his family and his church."

    Having come to the U.S. as an orphan at a young age, Dadour Dadourian never
    forgot his Armenian roots. He worked tirelessly to raise money for the
    cathedral and was happy to see his sons, Alex and the late Haig Dadourian,
    carrying on his legacy.

    Also recognized were the Gulbenkian and Diarbekirian families and the
    Knights and Daughters of Vartan for their contributions to the establishment
    of the Diocesan Center.

    Ed Gulbenkian said he was inspired and encouraged by an older generation of
    men who had been dedicated servants of the Armenian Church.

    He added, "I challenge all of you to become leaders in the Armenian Church."

    Archbishop Barsamian closed the day by recalling that "forty years ago
    Catholicos Vasken consecrated this cathedral. But that was not the end of
    its story-only the beginning. Today reminds us that each generation has
    something to contribute to our cathedral. Indeed, the work our Lord calls
    us to do is never-ending."

    A commemoration committee co-chaired by Melanie Dadourian and Greg Dadourian
    organized Sunday's program. Other committee members include Karen
    Kouzoujian, Alice Demirjian, Astrid Dadourian, Haig Ariyan, and Dn. Sebuh
    Oscherichian.

    Haig Ariyan also served as the master of ceremonies. A piano performance was
    given by Ari Nareg Terjanian.

    The photo exhibition in Guild Hall was designed by Alice Demirjian, with
    assistance from Melissa Dadourian and Heather Dadourian.

    --6/1/09

    * * *

    PHOTO CAPTIONS:

    NOTE TO EDITOR: Each photo caption corresponds to a photo file name; the
    seven most important photos have been listed first (out of numerical order).

    Photo6.jpg

    Abp. Barsamian traces holy oil in the sign of a cross on St. Vartan
    Cathedral's monumental bronze doors, during the service of consecration on
    Sun., May 31.

    Photo16.jpg

    Diocesan Primate Abp. Khajag Barsamian welcomes New York Mayor Michael
    Bloomberg to St. Vartan Cathedral.

    Photo2.jpg

    Mayor Bloomberg addresses the Armenian community at St. Vartan Cathedral.

    Photo9.jpg

    The sculpted bronze doors provided a dramatic backdrop for the graceful
    Shushi dancers.

    Photo13.jpg

    Bertha Khavlijian Moriarty, representing the St. Vartan Cathedral Guild,
    recalls the events of 30 years earlier, when the doors project was
    conceived.

    Photo14.jpg

    Alex Dadourian, representing the Dadourian family, recalls the vision of his
    father, the late Dadour Dadourian.

    Photo11.jpg

    Fr. Garabed Kochakian describes the story depicted on the bronze doors.

    * * *

    Photo1.jpg

    In New York's St. Vartan Cathedral, Abp. Barsamian thanks Mayor Bloomberg
    for joining in the unveiling ceremony.

    Photo3.jpg

    Before the newly unveiled entry portal, Mayor Bloomberg shakes hands with
    visiting vicar of Javakh, Fr. Papken Saleyian, in the company of (l-r) Abp.
    Barsamian, Fr. Mardiros Chevian, and Abp. Yeghishe Gizirian.

    Photo4.jpg

    Through a dense crowd on the cathedral plaza, the procession approaches the
    new entry doors for the consecration ritual.

    Photo5.jpg

    Abp. Barsamian consecrates St. Vartan Cathedral's new entry portal.

    Photo7.jpg

    Children help Abp. Barsamian open the doors for the first time after their
    consecration.

    Photo8.jpg

    Following the consecration ceremony, the elegant dancers of the Shushi Dance
    Ensemble performed on the cathedral plaza.

    Photo10.jpg

    Haig Ariyan served as Master of Ceremonies during a reception following the
    consecration.

    Photo12.jpg

    Fr. Mardiros Chevian, dean of St. Vartan Cathedral, introduces the honored
    guests of the day.

    Photo15.jpg

    Abp. Barsamian thanks the benefactors and attendees.

    Photo17.jpg

    Abp. Barsamian celebrates the Divine Liturgy prior to the consecration
    ceremony on Sun., May 31.

    # # #

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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